Steelers promote former Maryland interim coach Matt Canada to OC originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
The Steelers are expected to promote from within to replace their fired offensive coordinator, as former interim Maryland coach Matt Canada appears to be Pittsburgh's next man in line for the 2021-22 season. NFL Network reporter Ian Rapporport was first to report the news.
Having also interviewed for the Dolphin's open offensive coordinator position, Canada has served as the Steelers quarterbacks coach ever since leaving his post at Maryland following that turbulent 2018 season. The creative offensive mind took over as acting head coach of the Terps football team after D.J. Durkin was suspended, and soon thereafter fired, for a "toxic culture" highlighted by the death of the late Jordan McNair.
RELATED: University of Maryland settles with family of the late Jordan McNair
Canada steered Maryland to an uneven 5-7 record during a season full of distractions. Still, he managed to coach some breakout performances from the likes of wide receivers DJ Turner and Jeshaun Jones, as well as running back Anthony MacFarland, who was drafted by Canada's Steelers in the 2019 NFL Draft.
When Maryland hired current head coach Mike Locksley to take over in December 2018, Canada was relieved of his duties before securing the quarterbacks coach position in January 2020.
As Pittsburgh's QB coach, Canada was instrumental in helping Ben Roethlisberger transform his style of play to sport one of the NFL's quickest releases in the passing game. Thanks to a disappointing end of season run that saw the Steelers crash out of the Wild Card round by the hands of their divisional rivals Cleveland following an undefeated start through their first 11 games, former OC Randy Fichtner was relived of his duties.
Canada has an extensive coaching history at the collegiate ranks with coaching stops at Indiana, Butler, Pitt, and LSU, among others. This is a big step up for him, though, now as a prominent coordinator for one of the NFL's most respected head coaches in Mike Tomlin.
